Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Shrub or small deciduous tree. Bark rough and flaking but not deeply fissured and corky. Branches often armed with curved or straight spines, not always clearly visible. Leaves opposite, elliptic, oblong to ovate, 3-7-veined from the base, variably hairy or hairless. Flowers borne on small lateral spur-branchlets or terminally, in small compact heads, creamy-green. Fruits spherical, up to 12 cm, hard-shelled, speckled-green, turning yellow-brown, edible and tasty but are said to be not as good as those of Strychnos cocculoides.